Black headed weaver (Ploceus melanocephalus)

getting that nest building fever again, as if the ever stop, fabulous shot.

:eek!: I had no idea there were these guy in the Algarve, how exciting!!! o Great picture of one feeding on a beautiful perch!!! :bounce: :t: :t: :t: :t:

Lovely capture Terry n w

A great behavioural shot well captured and a super setting

This weaver in Algarve is very likely to be an escapee.

Considering the large amount of species within Genus Ploceus and no acurate information about it's origine distribution available the identification of Ploceus is not that easy.

Besides that the accurate size of birds is proven to be extremely hard to 'read' from photos.

This particular bird does not appear to be Ploceus cucullatus, which is a large (20cm)weaver with red iris and a (black) spotted back.

The shape of this birds bill might lead to a Slender-billed Weaver, Ploceus pelzelni.In that case the bird's length should have been around 12cm.

Another option is the Yellow-backed Weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus. (15cm)
In this case the black head and greenish back (not visible in this birds posure) should be separated by a characteristic yellow collar.

Apart from all this . . . . . nice capture anyway!


regards.